Pause

“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability....To be alive is to be vulnerable,” says Madeleine L’Engle. Jesus seems to agree.

During Lent we follow Jesus and journey into the wildness of the wilderness and find the power of vulnerability.

Listen

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

Think

There is never enough time for all the things we want to do and those we have to do. Shortcuts always promise us the ability to skip over our lacks and insufficiencies so that we can "have our cake and eat it too." This temptation to cheat — on our tests, our relationships, and our commitments — only serves to cheat us, as we create estrangement from our best selves.

Jesus fends off these diabolic impulses by remembering what is truly important. By finding refuge in the wisdom of Scripture, he steadies himself and brings timeless truth into the present moment.

By choosing to avoid shortcuts, we follow his example and allow the experiencing of the limitations of our time to free us to live fuller and more abundant lives.

Looking for a trick to slow down? Just start by paying attention to your breathing.

Pray

Go

May God the creator empower you to see your vulnerability as your source of strength, prompting you to reach out to the vulnerable and marginalized in your life.

May God the servant cultivate abundant love in you, allowing you to display your truest and most vulnerable self.

May God the comforter give you enough peace for you to share your insecurities and vulnerabilities with the world.

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writer

Luke Fodor

Luke Fodor is the assistant rector of St. John’s Church in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, where he works with children, youth, and young families. He loves spending time outside with his two boys and wife outside at the beach, kayaking, hiking, or cycling.